Labrador Runs to Her Neighbor’s House Every Day (Exclusive)

Russell Fenton first got his Labrador retriever, Emmy, when she was just 8 weeks old. Since then, Emmy has grown into her outgoing personality, with her helicopter tail always wiggling and her affection bringing joy to everyone she meets — including her neighbors, Linda Rose and her husband, Mark.

After initially meeting Emmy, the neighbors would occasionally hang out with her in the driveway. But everything changed in 2023, when Emmy began running to Linda Rose’s house in Orange County, Calif., on her own — a habit she now maintains every day.

“Emmy runs from my house straight to Linda Rose’s to ring the doorbell,” Fenton, 39, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “She wiggles her whole body while waiting, then rushes in for treats, belly rubs, and conversation. She often relaxes in Linda Rose’s living room, like it’s her second home. Her full-body wiggles never get old.”

“She will wait by the door or look at me in the afternoon to let me know she wants to go,” Fenton adds. “We don’t tell Linda Rose in advance, so it’s always a surprise. Sometimes she isn’t home, but we always go back later, even if it’s after 10 p.m. If we’re both home, there’s never a day Emmy doesn’t see Linda Rose.”

In January 2024, Fenton began recording Emmy’s visits after installing a doorbell. He first set up a practice bell at his own house, and within a couple of weeks, Emmy learned to use it.

Later, he asked Linda Rose if she wanted one as well — thankfully, she said yes.

“Early on, Emmy would ring it at all hours, even while Linda Rose and Mark were still in bed,” he says. “I eventually trained her with the command ‘Go See Linda Rose.’ Now she only goes when I give the command.”

“Linda Rose and Mark say it’s the highlight of their day,” he adds. “They have a water bowl, treats and even gifts ready for her. They’ve told me it never gets old.”

Soon, Fenton started sharing their encounters on social media, where the videos quickly went viral, amassing millions of views. For Fenton, he says seeing Emmy, now 7, spread joy is the best part of his day.

“Reading thousands of supportive comments from fans also lifts me up if I’m stressed,” he says. “I’ll never truly know the impact Emmy has had on the millions of people who watch her.”

“It means everything,” he adds. “Some people assume I’d be jealous, but it just makes me smile. I get messages daily from people saying Emmy’s videos help them through tough times. That inspires me to keep sharing.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Fenton adds how his bond with Linda and Mark has grown as a result. Linda Rose has since become Emmy’s godmother, and the couple often dogsit and take care of Emmy when Fenton is on vacation.

“I spend more time talking with Linda and Mark than I do with my own parents,” Fenton says.

“I want people to know that small acts of connection can mean the world,” he adds. “Emmy’s daily routines have been viewed over 130 million times, and people never get tired of them.”